Earliest meeting: Thursday 27th August 1835 (possibly 1787)Final meeting: Thursday 11th August 1842
The Hampshire town of Gosport, on the South coast of the country, today boasts a population of over 90,000. However, in the mid-1800s it was much smaller but still had its own races which were held in Stokes Bay. It combined with nearby Anglesey, described as a charming watering place some 2 miles south west of Gosport, to hold races from 1835. However, there is some evidence that racing took place in the town in 1787, although no results from that meeting have been found. For the 1835 meeting a floating bridge was provided on race days for the convenience of carriage users and pedestrians. Prior to racing Ordinaries were served at the Anglesey Hotel, and at the same venue after the second days racing a Race Ball was held. At the meeting on Wednesday 5th August 1840 the Anglesey Stakes was run in heats, with Merlin winning both heats to claim the prize for Mr Horlock. Races continued to be held annually until the last meeting on Thursday 11th August 1842.

If you have photos, postcards, racecards. badges, newspaper cuttings or book references about the old course, or can provide a photo of how the ground on which the old racecourse stood looks today, then email johnwslusar@gmail.com

Much of the information about this course has been found using internet research and is in the public domain. However, useful research sources have been:-

London Illustrated News

Racing Illustrated 1895-1899

The Sporting & Dramatic Illustrated

Northern Turf History Volumes 1-4 by J.Fairfax-Blakeborough

The Sporting Magazine

A Long Time Gone by Chris Pitt first published in 1996 ISBN 0 900599 89 8

Racing Calendars which were first published in 1727

ISBN 978-0-9957632-0-3

652 pages

774 former courses

ISBN 978-0-9957632-1-0

352 pages

400 former courses

ISBN 978-0-9957632-2-7

180 pages

140 former courses

ISBN 978-0-9957632-3-4

264 pages

235 former courses

Copies of the above books are only available by emailing johnwslusar@gmail.com stating your requirements, method of payment (cheque payable to W.Slusar) or Bank transfer, and the address where the book(s) should be sent.